I’m trying to locate my mineral rights using the property deeds I have. We have deeds showing our ownership in 25 different counties. The rights were purchased in the 1920s and 1930s. Here is an example of one (of MANY) that I’m having trouble finding. Here is what the deed says: “Sections 74,76,78, 80, 84 and 114 in block O W Pecos County containing 3840 acres, more or less.”
Using the RRC site’s Search, Survey it asks for Abstract, Survey Name, Block and Section. I have no Abstract or Survey Name. But looking at Block ow I find sections 74, 76, 78, 80, 84 and 114 all list only one abstract each and one Abstract (a-8386) appears twice. And Section 78 lists 2 Abstracts: 8390 and 5320. Checking other blocks on other deeds I find most sections have multiple abstracts listed many have 3-5 separate Abstracts. I’m just not understanding. Since abstracts aren’t listed on my deeds, does that mean all abstract apply to me or just one or two?? How do I know??
Plus I would like to create a map of all properties associated with each deed. If I had a JPEG, this I could overlay production information for the whole county to see if any of these properties are in good production areas. I can’t figure out how to use the RRC site to do this!
@TripleF, abstract numbers are useful since they are only used once per county. Unlike block numbers and section numbers which may appear more than once. In the case of Section 78, either abstract number could be used to locate that section. If you are working on
windows, getting a jpeg is as simple as getting a screen shot as shown below:
One more follow-up question . . . Are Abstract details available online??
I’m sorry to ask so many questions. Thank goodness there are people like you to take time out of your day to help someone like me learn. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!
Abstract numbers were assigned by TX General Land Office as land was granted from State. If the section was granted as a whole, it will have one Abstract number. If granted in parts (such as N/2 and S/2), then there will be 2 Abstract numbers. GLO Website - History Tab - Land Grant Search. Enter county and abstract number. Click on land grant number and summary data will appear. Texas is still scanning the very old files, so there may or may not be a folder to open. OR go to GLO History and GIS Viewer. Activate both County-Abstract layer and Energy Resources Layer. Search icon at bottom and select County and Abstract. This takes you to the map and you can click on section and then open the GIS Report Page. Also experiment with the Basemap Gallery (4 squares at top right) and open Terrain with Label or NAIP to see geographic map. Fun to experiment with other map views too.
